In my last blog, I discussed breast implant sizing to explain how I customize my choice of implant for you.  In this blog I’ll discuss implant profile.

Once we determine the size of the implant you want for your augmentation, we next need to determine the implant profile. Profile is another way of saying shape.  There are two factors in discussing profile – projection and base width.

If you can picture a breast implant placed on a tabletop, the height of the implant from the table represents the projection, and the width of the implant across the tabletop is the base width.  If the implant was made of soft clay (it’s not but just imagine it was), if you put your hand on the top of the implant and push down towards the tabletop, the clay will flatten down (less projection) and the portion of the clay that is touching the tabletop will increase (greater base width.) The total volume of the clay implant doesn’t change, just the shape.

Implants that have more projection and narrower base width are called high profile, implants with less projection and wider base are called low profile. Profile doesn’t change volume, it just changes shape. So if a 360cc (12 ounce) breast implant is going to make you a C cup, a high profile 360cc implant, or a low profile 360cc implant will both make you a C cup – the difference will be the shape of your breast.  High profile will give you a more projecting breast, and a low profile will give you a wider breast.

Breast Implant Profiles Walnut Creek

When deciding on the correct implant, we’ll first determine the size of the breast you want.  Next, I’ll ask you if you want more projection or a fuller, rounder breast.  Finally, I’ll measure the width of your breast.  Based on these criteria, I will recommend the profile.  There are high, high medium, medium, low medium and low profile implants in most sizes.

If you’ve read all my blogs on implant selection, you’ll now understand implant size (volume), implant fill (saline or gel), implant  shape (round or teardrop), implant surface (texture or smooth), implant profile (high to low), and implant manufacturer (Allergan, Mentor, or Sientra).  And that’s all there is to implant selection!

For more information on breast augmentation, read my blogs on how to decide which incision is best for you, whether the implants should be placed in front or behind (above or below) the muscles of the chest, and how to determine if you need a lift as well as a breast augmentation.